Implementation TEAM

CEO

Organizational Transformation

Strategic Planning and Technical Assistance

Steveregur@educators.coop

Dr. Steve Regur is the founder and CEO of Educators Cooperative, where he leads a team dedicated to empowering teachers and expanding student opportunities through innovative, research-based K-12 solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University and a doctorate from USC’s Rossier School of Education, where his research focused on how districts can prepare students for college and career readiness in a globally interconnected world.

Steve has been instrumental in implementing Career Connected Schools, promoting a career-curious culture in students by integrating internationally benchmarked best practices. These efforts align student preparation with future career opportunities and global educational standards.

Current projects include career education programs, competency-based digital badging systems, personalized learning coaching, and strengthening professional learning networks. Since 2006, Steve has authored $4.2 million in grants, co-founded several personalized learning schools, and helped numerous districts achieve student success through innovative projects.

CFO

Lead Project Manager

Strategic Planning and Technical Assistance

Curriculum and Instructional Design

Kirkmelkonian@educators.coop

Kirk Melkonian is an experienced education consultant, leadership coach, and product developer with a strong emphasis on project management and graphic design. As CFO of Educators Cooperative, Kirk brings his expertise in business strategy and marketing, developed through his MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business.

Kirk’s work spans several areas, including leading career learning initiatives for K-12 students and developing district-level solutions to meet diverse educational needs. He specializes in facilitating collaboration among groups of diverse stakeholders to co-design effective educational programs.

His recent projects include designing career education programs that equip students with future-ready skills and managing district-level partnerships to implement scalable solutions. Kirk also incorporates graphic design to enhance learning resources and experiences. Additionally, he has contributed to global competency curriculum design for international organizations and led the reopening plan for the first large U.S. school district to reopen during the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Careers Leader

Career Education

Human Resource Development

Edhidalgo@educators.coop

Ed Hidalgo is an expert in Human Resource Development, with a passion for helping individuals navigate their career journeys, especially those facing challenges in managing their careers. He consults and advises on all aspects of Career Readiness.

Ed holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Miami and has held various leadership roles in Human Development, including Area Manager for Manpower in San Diego, Senior Director for Staffing and Government Affairs at Qualcomm, Director of the World of Work initiative at the University of San Diego, and Chief Innovation Officer at the Cajon Valley Union School District. He is certified as a CPI and Strong Interest Inventory Facilitator by Myers-Briggs and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.

Ed’s notable projects include designing and leading Qualcomm’s Thinkabit Lab™, a hands-on makerspace experience for middle school students, and spearheading the World of Work initiative, which introduces career readiness to K-12 students. He also advises a technology education company on integrating career readiness into K-12 literacy programs.

Curriculum and Instructional Design

Team Development

Scotthouston@educators.coop

Scott Houston holds a Master of Arts in Middle School Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He began his teaching career in Fontana, where he taught both middle and high school for eight years. During this time, he also taught MA candidates at CSU San Bernardino.

Scott is National Board Certified in Early Adolescent Mathematics and has been recognized four times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

As an experienced education consultant, Scott helps teachers implement research-based strategies and best practices. His recent projects include guiding teachers through the Next Generation Science Standards, improving assessment readiness, supporting strategic thinking in mathematics, and designing a comprehensive career education framework for K-12 students.

In his free time, Scott enjoys dogs and comics.

Student Empowerment and Wellness

Workplace Health and Wellness

Curriculum and Instructional Design

Jessicatena@educators.coop

Jessie Tena has over twenty years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, administrator, coach, mentor, and now as an educational consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis on secondary education from San Diego State University and a Master’s degree in Education with a Cross-Cultural focus. Jessie was honored as San Diego Unified School District’s High School Teacher of the Year in 2013, the same year she completed her training as a Freedom Writer Teacher in Long Beach, California. She recently earned a Positive Intelligence coaching certificate under Dr. Shirzad Chamine at Stanford, enabling her to support clients in enhancing their personal and professional well-being.

With extensive expertise as an educational consultant, Jessie’s recent projects include working with San Diego Unified School District to help end the "school-to-prison pipeline" and expand restorative practices in schools. She also advises nonprofits and community organizations on integrating restorative and equitable practices into their support systems.

Workplace Health and Wellness

Team Development

Melindapierson@educators.coop

Melinda R. Pierson, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at Cal State Fullerton, where she served as Department Chair for 15 years and was honored as the Outstanding Professor in the College of Education in 2012. Since 2002, she has also been the Director of the Center for International Partnerships in Education.

Dr. Pierson has led over 100 students on inclusive study abroad programs, co-leads international teacher training research projects with educators from over 10 countries, and developed an online training network in Haiti to support teachers in orphanage schools. Her recent work with Educators Cooperative includes providing wellness support and workshops to multiple districts and offering guidance on issues related to students with disabilities.

Throughout her career, Dr. Pierson has authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and grants, focusing on literacy, inclusion, international teacher training, wellness, and resilience in children and adolescents. She has presented extensively to school districts and at state, national, and international conferences. Most recently, she began working with the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, supporting personnel and their families abroad.

Impact and Research Lead

cristinasantos@educators.coop

As the leader of the company's inaugural research initiative, Cristina Santos spearheads three comprehensive regional studies across the United States, investigating how schools can enhance their career education programs for improved student outcomes. Her work combines rigorous academic research methodology with practical educational experience to drive evidence-based improvements in career development.

Her career began in teaching Biology and Physics, advancing to leadership positions including Head of A-level Sciences and Deputy Head of Sixth Form across British schools in England and Portugal. She has implemented numerous career education programs and fostered school collaborations. Cristina holds two MA degrees and recently completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge, researching career development conversations. Her OECD internship involved analyzing career guidance practices across 10 countries, examining their impact on adult outcomes. During her PhD at Cambridge, she assisted the teaching of Psychology and Human Development, Statistical Analysis, and Quantitative Research Methods, while also organizing educational conferences and public engagement programs.

Cristina is also a mum who enjoys photography and hiking.

Project Management Associate

Jimaidis (Jimi) Cicilia brings a global perspective and a strong sense of initiative to the Educators Cooperative team. Originally from the Netherlands with Dutch Caribbean roots, she combines cross-cultural insight with a passion for learning and innovation.

After moving to California in 2023, Jimi joined the team as an apprentice and quickly advanced to support major initiatives. She has played a key role in multiple projects and successfully led the planning and logistics for a convening of education leaders visiting career-connected schools across Orange County.

Jimi holds an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Business and Trade from Lentiz Life College in the Netherlands. Her past experience in operations and administration—both in leadership and back-office roles—continues to inform her thoughtful and organized approach to team collaboration.

Curious, adaptable, and driven to grow, Jimi is committed to supporting meaningful educational experiences for diverse communities.

Consultant

Career Development

trishamartell@educators.coop

Dr. Trisha Martell has 25 years of experience in education, including 17 years as a middle school principal. Her work focuses on student-centered school transformation and on building school cultures where career exploration is part of everyday learning.

During her tenure as principal, Elizabeth Forward Middle School was designated a Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools to Watch and earned redesignation three additional times, sustained recognition for continuous improvement, innovative practice, and career-related learning at the middle level.

Trisha holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from Penn State University, a teaching certification from Robert Morris University, a Master's degree in Education, Principal Certification, and a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from PennWest University, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Administration from Point Park University.

Her work centers on instructional leadership, career-connected learning, and student voice, helping schools connect classroom learning to students' interests and futures. She continues to advocate for career readiness starting at a young age, so students build confidence and purpose well before they leave high school.